Another great piece detailing ways to work as an ally (VERB) with communities in which you have privilege.

“Fact: you are the children and grandchildren of oppressed people who seen our lands as means to escape their own oppressive imperialistic leaders. They came and they used racism and religion as the catalyst for the wholesale slaughter of the native peoples. There is a responsibility in this knowledge to do something. More than acknowledgement and more than rallies or marches. Real tangible ways to create meaningful relationships to us and to the land is what the next step in our struggle is.”

This is a great list of some of the issues surrounding the ally industrial complex and claiming ally as an identity. Ally is a VERB. You must be allying, in action, and in ways that are called for my the community you are seeking to ‘help’.

“For decades, the friendly Prairie city has been known for its smiling, lefty premiers, pacifist, Mennonite writers and a love affair with the Jets. Licence plates here bear the tag “Friendly Manitoba.” But events of last fall served to expose a darker reality. The Manitoba capital is deeply divided along ethnic lines. It manifestly does not provide equal opportunity for Aboriginals. And it is quickly becoming known for the subhuman treatment of its First Nations citizens, who suffer daily indignities and appalling violence. Winnipeg is arguably becoming Canada’s most racist city.”

“How is taking a Aboriginal woman who is intoxicated to your home after arresting her as a RCMP officer the start of a “relationship”? Not only is the act horrifying, but the reporting on this shows such a lack of understanding of rape culture – where is the conversation of consent? of power? Come on CBC do better.” – Farrah Khan

“Rabbit and Bear Paws, two brothers, are the main characters of a comic series set in 1750’s colonized North America. Using Traditional Native Teachings and humor, the stories are based on THE SEVEN FIRES PROPHECIES and THE SEVEN GRANDFATHERS. For those that don’t know The Seven Grandfather Teachings are: Courage, Wisdom, Honesty, Truth, Humility, Respect and Love.
“The characters will travel to different parts of the country, from coast to coast in new humorous adventures. In those adventures we will learn about the different cultures and the gifts that they contributed to modern society.”
The creators of the series also made puppets to go along with the comics. These puppets travel to pow wows, schools and other community gatherings to bring laughter and values to the kids.”

Check out more of the piece the powwows.com did on the series HERE
and also the Rabbit and Bear Paws site HERE